RUTHERGLEN Main Street has become one of the world’s most popular webcam views.

To date, more than 450,000 people have logged on to the site, to see live footage of Ruglonians going about their business on a day-to-day basis.

The camera, which is sited close to the Royal Bank of Scotland, shows views of the north side of the Main Street, looking towards Mill Street.

Visitors don’t get to see the impressive Town Hall building but instead they can watch local people going to shops, including an off-licence, takeaways, a bookmakers, as well as a constant flow of traffic along the Main Street.

The site, which has had over 450,266 visitors since it opened on November 2007, has been listed in the top 25 views by webcam portal site EarthCam.

EarthCam editors reviewed thousands of webcams across the globe and drew up a list of their 25 favourites.

Criteria included image quality, uniqueness of the content and technical achievements in webcam technology.

And now it’s competing with views of New York, Tokyo, London and NASA astronauts in space to be hailed the internet’s most interesting webcam.

The webcam made national news earlier this week, with views jumping from 434,176 on Monday morning to over 450,000 by Tuesday lunchtime.

The webcam’s owner, whose identity is unknown, says: “This cam provides live video and sound of the locals going about their daily business and if you listen, you will hear the odd reveller go home after a wee drink or two after the local pubs and bars close.

“Also, if you’re lucky, you might catch the local parades, marches and fun fairs that happen quite frequently.”

The site is popular with its visitors.

James Quinn, now living in Simi Valley, California, was delighted to find the webcam, and said: “I can almost see my old house.”

Barry McCade, from Adelaide, visited because Rutherglen was: “The birthplace of my father many, many years ago.”

Irene Black from America wrote: “My family left Rutherglen in 1975 for Florida, USA,” and felt that by visiting the site: “I come home.”

Rutherglen could now earn a top 25 slot in the contest run by EarthCam.

Justin Camerlengo, of the webcam portal, said: “It’s a pleasant escape to a main street outside the US. It maintains a universal feel.”

Rutherglen MSP James Kelly is delighted with the success of the webcam.

He said: “I am delighted that the webcam on Rutherglen Main Street has been shortlisted for such an important competition.

“I think the Main Street captures a combination of history and modern life. Rutherglen is the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland and across the road from the webcam is the site of one of the early meetings of the first Scottish Parliament.

“Viewers to the webcam can also capture the excitement of the build up to Christmas in a busy community.

“It is fascinating that it has been able to attract over 400,000 hits and shows the attraction of viewing live shots of Rutherglen Main Street.”